16 Best Places to Visit in Arizona in 2024 (Our Picks)

16 Best Places to Visit in Arizona in 2024

The sun dipping low over red rocky mesas and desert sands, cities buzzing with vibrant art and culinary scenes, and quiet towns tucked away in the mountains characterize the wonder and charm of Arizona.

While Phoenix and the Grand Canyon tend to get all the glory, they’re only two of the places you should see when you make a voyage to this desert- and mountain-laden jewel of the Southwest.

From spiritual retreats in mystical Sedona to grueling and rewarding hikes to panoramic views in the Colorado Plateau, there’s a lot to see and do here. We’ll show you the best places to visit in Arizona to hit all the highlights of this rugged and beautiful southwestern state. 

1. Grand Canyon National Park

As iconic as it is breathtaking, Grand Canyon National Park is one of Arizona’s most-visited places. Offering awe-inspiring views of the rugged rock formations here in the southwest corner of the Colorado Plateau, this national park isn’t just one of the best places to visit in Arizona — it’s one of the top destinations in the entire U.S.

This park is packed with unique geologic formations, winding hiking trails for all fitness levels, and overlooks offering unforgettable sights. The Colorado River appears like a tiny trickle of water snaking along the bottom of the world’s widest canyon.

See the Grand Canyon from the South Rim (most popular viewpoint, which can be viewed from your car) or the harder-to-access North Rim in the park. You might take your adventure a step — okay, several steps — further by venturing into the inner canyon along strenuous hiking trails or on a mule. 

Take a multi-day river rafting trip, challenge yourself on hiking trails that lead to seldom-seen and rewarding views of the different sections of the park, and take a scenic ride on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, AZ into the park for a unique experience. 

Early spring and late fall tend to see the fewest visitors and offer cooler temperatures that can make your Grand Canyon experience that much more enjoyable. Camping in the park is a great way to immerse yourself in this Arizona wonder, but be sure to book your sites well in advance. 

Read Next: Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon

2. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Most of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park sits in Arizona, but a small part is in Utah. This treasure trove of red sandstone pillars and mesas rising up to 1,000 feet spans northeastern Arizona’s Colorado Plateau, creating scenery and landscapes that are every bit as awe-inspiring as the Grand Canyon. 

Monument Valley sits in the Navajo Nation, ancient lands belonging to the Navajo tribe with millennia of history as ancestral lands with sacred importance to the Navajo people. This history is part of the reason the park is so incredible to visit, but the classic Southwestern scenery is an obvious attractor for tourists. 

The iconic red color of the naturally-carved sandstone pillars, called buttes, and mesas rising from the sandy desert floor will stun you as soon as you near the park. Standing in the shadows of these giant formations is a feeling you can’t replicate in many places on Earth. 

Take the 17-mile scenic loop along Valley Drive to see the most famous formations in the park with 11 numbered stopping points and overlooks. Some of the best are the East and West Mitten buttes, Merrick Butte, the Halgaito formation, and Totem Pole. 

Time your visit for sunrise or sunset, when the waxing or waning light casts dramatic shadows across the landscape and offers phenomenal photo opportunities. Check out Gould’s Trading Post and Museum and Haskenneini Restaurant while you’re here! 

Read Next: The Best & Worst Times to Visit Monument Valley National Park

3. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area looks like a Martian landscape with its red-colored rock formations lifting out of the ground at odd angles, pushed by powerful geologic forces that have been at work for eons. 

Glen Canyon begins at the Grand Canyon and spans to southern Utah’s Orange Cliffs, offering 1.2 million acres of unparalleled grounds for outdoor recreation and spectacular views. Deep canyons, towering mesas and pillars, and high desert terrain make Glen Canyon one of the best places to visit in Arizona. 

It’s a true paradise for outdoorsy types, with amazing opportunities to hike, bike, kayak, fish, swim, and camp in the majestic setting of this otherworldly landscape. Lake Powell is a hotspot for fishing and boating, while smooth water rafting down Horseshoe Bend is perfect for a sunny day.

As you hike through the park’s many trails (easy to strenuous) and to Glen Canyon Dam, you’ll pass uplifted rocks that have been exposed and worn by millennia of erosion. You’ll see the layers of these massive formations and venture deep into slot canyons, next to towering pillars, and along natural staircases of stone.

Sunset Arch and Moonrise Arch Trail is one of the best easy trails in the park, taking a little over an hour to complete, while Hurricane Wash to Coyote Gulch is a famously challenging hike through some of the most incredible scenery in the area.

Fall and winter tend to be the best time to visit the park if you want to avoid the massive crowds of the peak summer season. These are the perfect times to see and enjoy the scenery without standing shoulder to shoulder with other visitors.

4. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is another otherworldly destination on the Arizona-Utah border, bordering Kaibab National Forest and Glen Canyon. The area encompasses nearly 294,000 acres of absolutely wild rock formations like canyons, cliffs, and buttes.

Like many of Arizona’s best natural destinations, Vermilion Cliffs is draped in red-orange hues. Within the national monument are stunning areas like Vermilion Cliffs, Marble Canyon, Paria Plateau, Paria Canyon, Coyote Buttes.

Rugged hiking trails criss-cross the region and take you past some of the most unique landscapes you’ll find in the United States.

The 6-mile hike to the Wave should be high on your list of must-see formations in Vermilion Cliffs. You’ll have to be one of the lucky 64 hikers chosen daily to visit due to strict limitations, but if you can get here, it’s so worth it.

Layers of rock create a dizzying array of curving bands in the formations of The Wave, making the entire area look like a painted or marbled masterpiece that’s been artistically designed with a psychedelic flair. 

Don’t miss your chance to hike the Cathedral Wash trail, where you’ll meander through steep canyon walls and finish at the Colorado River. Wire Pass brings you deep into the Buckskin Gulch slot canyon and feels like walking on Mars. 

With rock formations rising over 3,000 to 7,100 feet high around you, exploring Vermilion Cliffs is an awesome study in perspective — you’ll walk out of here feeling small next to the gigantic geologic wonders you’ve seen. Rent a 4WD vehicle to get around, and keep an eye out for the endangered California condors that breed and nest in the monument! 

5. Phoenix

Arizona’s capital city, Phoenix, seems to rise out of the red desert much like the mythical phoenix rising out of flames. A sort of oasis in the Sonoran Desert, it’s one of the best places to visit in Arizona and has a unique vibe that centers around art, history, the surrounding natural beauty, and culinary delights. 

Part of the charm of Phoenix is how deeply Arizonian this city is. See giant 50′ Saguaro cacti along the roads with “arms” outstretched, a local culture that centers around desert hikes and ATV rides, and an unexpectedly sophisticated downtown area with great dining, shopping, and historic attractions. 

Phoenix — also known as the “Valley of the Sun” — is the 5th most populous city in the country, sprawling out in all directions. It’s in one of the sunniest regions in the world, on par with the Sahara Desert in terms of how much sunshine (and how little rain) the area receives.

Your trip to Phoenix will be filled with long, bright days instead of gloomy, cloudy skies. Wandering the downtown district (one of the only walkable portions of the city) is one of the best things to do when you come for a visit.

Dine at James Beard Award-nominated restaurants with Southwestern flair, try locally-inspired cocktails at downtown bars, go bowling or play vintage arcade games, and wander the Roosevelt Row Arts District to see cool murals and galleries that showcase Phoenix talent. 

While a visit can be great year-round, we prefer coming to Phoenix when things are a bit cooler and more suitable for walking downtown or venturing beyond the city for hiking: November through April. 

Read Next: Where to Stay in Phoenix & The Best Time to Visit Phoenix, AZ

6. Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is a rare slot canyon in northern Arizona on protected Navajo Parks and Recreation land, only accessible with an authorized tour guide. While you can’t go alone, the experience of visiting this wondrous part of Arizona with a knowledgeable guide will make it unforgettable. 

Most people decide whether they want to tour the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon during their visit, or opt for a helicopter tour over the entire area instead. 

Upper Antelope Canyon — the Crack — is the destination for most people and home to the most iconic and famous formations, phenomena, and towering sandstone walls. The flat area is relatively easy to walk as sandstone rock towers on either side of you. It stretches 100 yards with no ladders or stairs to climb.

Best of all, this is where the famous light beams of Antelope Canyon can be seen between May and September from 11AM to 1:30PM on sunny days. Sunlight pours through the top opening of the narrow canyon, flooding the floor with heavenly light. 

Lower Antelope Canyon is visited less often because it’s more treacherous with ladders and stairs, fewer tour operators offer tours to this section, and you won’t be able to see the amazing light beams of the upper canyon. It’s a 650-yard walk through elevation changes. 

No tour operators offer both tours at this time, so you’ll have to book upper and lower section tours separately, or go for a sky-high helicopter tour, if you want to see it all. 

Read Next: Best & Worst Times to Visit Antelope Canyon

7. Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is located near Grand Canyon National Park in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. You’ve probably seen this majestic place in photos, but nothing compares to witnessing the seductive curve of the river through the canyon with a lone central pillar in person. 

The rushing water below is the Colorado River, the same mighty body of water that’s carved out incredible formations from the Grand Canyon to Glen Canyon. Imagine the power of this same water source relentlessly chipping away at tons of sandstone and sedimentary rock over millions of years! 

If you’re interested in getting down into the bend, take a rafting tour through a 2-mile tunnel at Glen Canyon Dam all the way to Horseshoe Bend and Lees Ferry. 

You’ll see it best from the scenic overlook just over half a mile from the northern side of the parking lot. There’s a fence barrier, but if you (carefully) step to either side of the barrier, you’ll have opportunities for great photos not hindered by the fence.

You really can’t beat a visit to Horseshoe Bend at either sunrise or sunset. The angle of the sun during these periods bathes the formation in beautifully filtered light. Sunrise is best for an uncrowded visit — and the best photo opportunities. 

Read Next: The Best & Worst Times to Visit Horseshoe Bend

8. Tucson

Tuscon is Arizona’s second-most populated city, offering stunning views of the Tucson and Catalina mountains that encircle it, a lively downtown district with tons of entertainment and dining options, and a thriving outdoor recreation scene with the city’s prime location in the Sonoran Desert. 

Downtown is our favorite part of Tucson to explore with its walkable streets lined with local shops, galleries, award-winning eateries and bars, and music venues, all reachable with the Tucson Streetcar (23 stops across 3.9 miles) if you’re not up for a long stroll.

Check out the Tucson Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) on Congress Street, enjoy the nightlife on the eclectic Fourth Street, and check out cool markets in the shadow of nearby Sentinel Peak in the Mercado neighborhood.

To the north are the trails and Saguro cacti of Madera Canyon and Catalina State Park, while Saguaro National Park sits both to the east and west of Tucson with desert sands studded by these giant, iconic succulents. 

Head just west of the city to explore the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which packs a huge zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, miles of walking paths, and a natural history museum into its footprint. 

Read Next: The Best & Worst Months to Visit Tucson

9. Bisbee

Bisbee is another of the best places to visit in Arizona. This is a historic mining town that reminds us of Europe with its cobblestone streets and mountain setting. Millions of ounces of gold and billions of pounds of copper, silver, zinc, and lead have been pulled from the mineral-rich grounds.

Almost a ghost town, the liveliest part of Bisbee is its bustling little Main Street lined with locally-owned shops, museums, and art galleries that showcase Bisbee talent.

There are no chain stores or restaurants, adding to the Southwestern charm of this once-thriving town. Grab a hot cup of freshly-brewed coffee at Bisbee Coffee Company, nosh on the famous short rib ravioli at Cafe Roka, and finish up with some organic, sinfully-sweet treats from BisbeeGoodCakes.

See a curated collection of contemporary art at Artemizia Foundation in Old Bisbee, where works by the likes of Banksy and Swoon adorn the walls. Ghost tours downtown take you to historic spots where Bisbee specters have been reported, and the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum offers a more down-to-Earth take on the region’s past.

The gaping Lavender Pit Mine sits between Bisbee and the next town, Lowell, filled with deep crimson water and creating a unique sight. If you like what you see in Bisbee, Lowell should be the next stop on your trip. 

But no visit to Bisbee is complete with a mine tour (check Copper Queen for tour options). Don a vest, hard hat, and headlamp and hop into a real mine train to descend into the mines, stopping for 2 short walks through a tunnel to explore the subterranean chamber up-close.

10. Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is home to northeastern Arizona’s mother lode of petrified wood, Native American settlements, Triassic-era fossils, and unique geologic formations. Exploring its Rainbow Forest and giant petrified fallen logs, an ancient Puebloan village, and scenic hiking trails will be a highlight of your Arizona trip. 

The Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area is divided into two sections. The Painted Desert in the north offers breathtaking, colorful desert landscapes in shades of red and burnt orange. The southern section showcases extreme erosion and badlands with a rugged, Southwestern feel. 

Bike or drive the main park road that spans 28 miles, passing excellent viewpoints and little paths that meander deeper into the park along the way.

Take a short, 0.3-mile trail to Puerco Pueblo and see petroglyphs and the ruins of an ancient Puebloan village, head just 0.4 miles out behind the Rainbow Forest Museum to walk beside massive petrified redwood logs on the Giant Logs trail, or explore the Painted Desert badlands with petrified wood on the popular 1-mile Blue Mesa trail loop. 

This is an awesome spot to brush up on your land navigation skills with backcountry hiking. Pick up a free guide from the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum to get information about the best destinations off the walking paths, like the blue, purple, and gray shades of rock at Devil’s Playground (which requires a permit).

Read Next: The Best National Parks in the United States

11. Sedona

Nestled in Arizona’s own oasis, Verde Valley, Sedona is a mystical city that’s known for its vibrant red rock surroundings, spiritual retreats, excellent eats, and abundant outdoor recreation options with hiking trails and state parks. 

Sedona’s art scene will envelop you in the city’s unique vibe and culture, offering dozens of art galleries, near-weekly festivals and events, and celebrations of all forms of art from visual to music and dance. 

Spiritual wellness is a big part of what drives Sedona and magnetically attracts visitors. Yoga and spiritual retreats bring many people to the city in search of quiet, grounding, and rejuvenation in the unique desert oasis landscapes on the outskirts of town.

New Age shops are everywhere uptown, but the Sedona Vortexes are the main draw for those seeking to know themselves and experience the land’s unique cleansing energy here. There are 7 Vortexes here, including those at Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, and Chapel of the Holy Cross. 

Dining is also incredible in Sedona. L’espressino offers gourmet coffees and breakfast foods, like chilaquiles and French toast with bourbon syrup.

Stop by Momo’s Kitchen food truck upwtown for incredible Korean food, and Sedona Beer Company has gastro pub food like pork belly mac & cheese and the best burgers in town with craft beers on tap.

Work it all off by hiking in Red Rock State Park just outside of town, where you’ll find spots to picnic, bird-watch, and explore spectacular overlooks. Head to Devil’s Bridge, verifiably Instagram-famous, to snap a photo on the largest sandstone natural arch in the area. 

Read Next: Where to Stay in Sedona & Best & Worst Times to Visit Sedona

12. Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead National Recreation Area sits close to Las Vegas and is home to Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, 9 wilderness areas, rugged mountains, and deeply-carved canyons and valleys that span 1.5 million acres of northwestern Arizona and southeastern Nevada.

While Lake Mead sits firmly in Nevada, Lake Mohave creates a natural border between Arizona and Nevada and offers great opportunities for water skiing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing across the expansive lake with surrounding views of high desert mountains.

The Lake Mead NRA is filled with Joshua trees, unique red rock formations carved by rivers, wind, and rain, and rare slot canyons where sunlight barely infiltrates the narrow walls. Colored, banded rocks give the region a painted appearance that remind us of tan lines. 

This vast area is known for water sports, stargazing, and hiking, offering some of the region’s best opportunities for adventurous outdoor activities in a beautiful setting that perfectly characterizes the American Southwest.

Over on the Nevada side, you can enjoy the same water sports and adventures along with spots like the Historic Railroad Tunnel trail (once used to build the Hoover Dam) with panoramic views over the rock formations in the area and Lake Mead. 

There are 15 campgrounds scattered throughout the recreation area, so you’ll be able to set up camp somewhere convenient amid the fascinating scenery, no matter where you venture to during your trip.

13. Canyon De Chelly National Monument

Canyon De Chelly National Monument sits in northeastern Arizona, encompassing nearly 84,000 acres of ancestral Navajo tribal lands in use for 5,000 years. The land is dotted with yawning canyons with walls 1,000 feet tall, sandstone cliffs, and rock pillars. 

While the majestic landscape with 3 major canyons (De Chelly, Monument, and Del Muerto) is the most obvious reason to visit Canyon De Chelly, the area’s long-spanning history makes it even more rewarding. Here, you’ll find evidence and artifacts indicating the region’s rich Native American past to explore.

On the North Rim Drive, the Mummy Cave Overlook shows an ancient Puebloan village with 70 rooms 300 feet above the canyon floor, featuring rooms designed for sacred ceremonies and daily life thousands of years ago. Hopi, Dine’, Basketmakers, Pueblo, and Navajo tribes have deep roots in these canyons. 

From South Rim Drive, you’ll be able to see the famous Spider Rock Spire standing nearly 800 feet tall and surrounded by dramatic cliffs near the canyon.

With a guide, you can hike special trails through the area and see artwork displayed on canyon walls from Native American tribes in millennia past. Self-guided driving tours and some day hikes are permissible without a guide.

Because this is protected land that belongs to the Navajo people, you won’t be able to hike just anywhere or explore the area in full without an authorized guide. Guides are easy to connect with through the national monument’s website and it’s easy to find affordable trips that span a partial, full, or multi-day trip. 

14. Havasu Falls

The thundering, tiered cascades of Havasu Falls are located within the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Havasu Canyon. One of the best places to visit in Arizona, these majestic falls boast a vivid teal color and a remote location that makes the area amazingly tranquil to visit. 

The Havasupai people, who still occupy the Supai Village within the canyon, take their name from the blue-green hue of the rushing waters that feed and nourish this part of Arizona.

While the village is very remote and cut off from road access, it’s easier to make your way to the falls for a spectacular day of exploration. You’ll just need a permit and pre-booked reservations at the lodge or campground near the falls (no day hikes are allowed). 

The falls are just outside Grand Canyon National Park, making this the perfect spot for a day trip after you’ve seen the canyon and done a few of the most rewarding hikes.

The trail to the falls includes steep switchbacks and elevation changes, so a high level of fitness is required to make your way to the falls. In summer, temperatures can soar above 115°F, making this difficult hike dangerous without water and plenty of sunscreen. 

But if you’re keen on reaching the serene, turquoise pools at the foot of each of the 5 falls at Havasu, you’ll be one of the few to say you’ve done it and have memories to last a lifetime. 

15. Flagstaff

Flagstaff boasts mild temperatures during the spring and summer with cold, snowy winters that make it a skiing and snowboarding mecca. Nestled high up in the mountains of northern Arizona, this city offers much more than meets the eye — that’s why it’s one of the best places to visit in Arizona.

Dense stands of evergreen pine trees surround Flagstaff, and the mountains it calls home create the perfect setting for wilderness outings. Amazing hiking trails and ski runs dominate the mountainside and offer some of the area’s best views. 

Historic downtown Flagstaff is one of the best parts of the city, populated with adorable local shops and trendy eateries that make it easy to spend a few days getting to know the city. Follow the brewery trail, visit outdoor outfitters, peruse local art galleries, and dine at your choice of humble to upscale restaurants. 

During the winter months, avid winter sports enthusiasts descend on the city for the nearby ski resorts and excellent slopes. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snow tubing, and snow biking are all popular activities if you’re looking for a winter wonderland. 

Get your fill of history and archaeology with visits to the nearby Wupatki National Monument, where you can visit and learn about ancient pueblo sites that are located along scenic, short hiking trails. 

Read Next: The Best Places to Stay in Flagstaff

16. Tombstone

Love the idea of a real Southwestern ghost town? Head to Tombstone, where you’ll get all the historic charm and rugged feel of the Wild West — saloons, horse-drawn carriages, dusty streets and all! 

Tombstone’s motto is the “Town Too Tough to Die” and it’s taken efforts to renovate and turn the historic town into an awesome tourist attraction. Visit the old storefronts and buildings, updated here and there with a fresh coat of paint and fully operational today. 

Watch the daily reenactment of a famous shootout at the OK Corral, take a trolley tour through the town and hear about the history from a guide, visit the Old Tombstone Western Theme Park and play mini-golf or pan for gold, and check out the old-time gambling hall. 

Annual festivals and events are held in the town, with themes like Wild West Days and the Annual Showdown, where re-enactors get into character and put you right in front of the action. 

While the focus of Tombstone is the past, it’ll keep you present and entertained while you learn about the awesome history of this tough little town — and even the haunted history if you’re up for a ghost tour! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have a few lingering questions about getting your trip to the best places to visit in Arizona all planned out? Take a look at the most common questions other travelers have to learn more. 

So, What Are the Best Places to Visit in Arizona?

Arizona embodies the American Southwest perfectly, offering some of the most rugged and scenic geologic formations you’ll find in the U.S. But the beauty of Arizona goes far beyond its quintessential red rock and deserts, extending into awesome cities like Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Sedona.

If you’re looking to slow things down for your trip, head to quaint little towns like Bisbee or Tombstone. And if you’re hoping to do some grueling hikes that lead you to seldom-seen views on ancient tribal lands, you’ve got spots like Havasu Falls to add to your list. 

We’re huge fans of Arizona and can’t wait for you to start checking off destinations from this list of the best places to visit in Arizona. Whether your first stop is the Grand Canyon or a Wild West tour through Tombstone, you’ll fall in love with this ruggedly beautiful state.